Far Cry New Dawn vs Horizon Forbidden West

• Perspective: First-Person
• Multiplayer: Cooperative (2 player online for campaign and Expeditions)
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, USA & various Expedition locations
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only)
• Setting: The Forbidden West (Fictionalized Western USA - California, Nevada, Utah), Post-Post-Apocalyptic Future
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Windows)
• Unique Feature: Intricate Machine Combat, Vast & Diverse Open World, Advanced Traversal (Flying Mount, Shieldwing, Free Climbing), Deep Lore & Worldbuilding, Visually Stunning Graphics.

• Guns for Hire (Humans): Each human companion has two unique, unlockable abilities that enhance their combat effectiveness. Examples: Carmina Rye can throw multiple sticks of dynamite; The Judge shoots 3 arrows at once and his arrows track moving targets; Nana can see through smoke and shoot through cover; Pastor Jerome uses incendiary shotgun shells and blesses the player with reduced damage; Gina Guerra uses explosive rounds and never runs out of ammo for her LMG; Hurk Drubman Jr.'s rockets track vehicles more effectively and he reloads faster.
  Human
• Fangs for Hire (Animals): Timber (dog) automatically tags enemies and nearby crafting materials, can dig for resources, fetch weapons from downed enemies, and scare off some hostile wildlife. Horatio (boar) is a powerful tank who charges enemies, shatters shields, draws enemy fire, and can self-revive once from being downed in combat, making him exceptionally resilient.
  Dog (Akita), Boar

• Varl (Temporary): Accompanies Aloy on several early to mid-game missions. Provides combat support with his bow and spear, and engages in dialogue that explores their friendship and the unfolding events.
  Human (Nora Brave)
• Zo (Temporary): Joins Aloy for specific quests related to the Utaru tribe and healing the land-gods. Fights with a unique staff and has abilities related to plants and machines.
  Human (Utaru Gravesinger)
• Kotallo (Temporary): Assists Aloy in missions involving the Tenakth tribe and fighting Regalla's rebels. A skilled warrior, even with his injury, using Tenakth weaponry.
  Human (Tenakth Marshal)
• Alva (Temporary): Helps Aloy decipher Old World data and navigate Quen politics during relevant quests. More focused on knowledge and tech than direct combat.
  Human (Quen Diviner)
• Erend (Temporary): Provides heavy combat support with his Oseram hammer and gadgets during missions where he joins Aloy.
  Human (Oseram Vanguard)
• Beta (Contextual): While not a combat companion, Beta's technical expertise is crucial for progressing the story, often working with Aloy remotely or providing vital information.
  Human (Elisabet Sobeck Clone)
• Seyka (Burning Shores DLC - Temporary): Aloy's primary companion throughout the Burning Shores DLC. A skilled warrior and mariner, she fights alongside Aloy with Quen weaponry and assists in navigating the volcanic archipelago.
  Human (Quen Marine)

• MP3 Players: Found in various locations throughout Hope County and on Expedition maps. Each one found unlocks a new music track that can be listened to via the in-game music player, adding to the player's auditory experience and world immersion.
• Dear Photograph Locations: Specific viewpoints in Hope County. Interacting with them shows the player a pre-Collapse photograph of that exact location, highlighting the drastic changes over 17 years and providing a poignant narrative touch about what was lost.
• Treasure Hunts: Marked locations on the map that involve solving environmental puzzles, navigating obstacles, or finding keys to access a hidden stash. Rewards typically include Perk Points, crafting materials (often rare), and sometimes unique weapon skins or Far Cry Credits.

• Survey Drones (Tallneck Data): 10 flying drones that continuously circle a specific area. Aloy must find a way to jump onto and retrieve their data modules. Each drone collected reveals information about Old World landmarks or ecosystems and provides XP/Skill Points.
• Black Boxes (Flight Recorders): 12 recoverable flight recorders from crashed Old World airplanes. Each black box contains an audio log telling a short, often poignant story of the plane's final moments. Collecting them all is part of a side quest for a unique weapon.
• Vista Points: 9 towers emitting a partial image of a pre-war landscape. Aloy must find the exact spot to stand and activate her Focus to align the image with the current environment, revealing a complete glimpse of the Old World location. Provides lore and XP.
• Relic Ruins: 9 Old World ruins containing environmental puzzles that Aloy must solve using her Focus, Pullcaster, and other tools to reach a hidden Ornament (collectible for a side quest) or other valuable loot.
• Signal Lenses (Signals of the Sun - Carja): Lenses from Old World signal towers that need to be collected for a Carja NPC in the Daunt. Often require climbing or light puzzle solving.
• War Totems (Banuk Figures - Easter Egg): Small, hidden Banuk-style figurines representing characters from other PlayStation Studios games (e.g., Kratos, Jin Sakai). A fun Easter egg collectible.
• Machine Strike Pieces & Players: Machine Strike is an in-universe tactical board game. Aloy can collect various machine-themed game pieces (by purchasing or defeating specific machines) and challenge NPC players throughout the Forbidden West to matches.
• Greenshine Fragments/Slivers/Clusters: Valuable crystalline resource found in underwater locations, caves, or as rewards. Used for upgrading high-tier weapons and outfits.
• Ornament Collectibles (From Relic Ruins): Found at the end of each Relic Ruin puzzle. Can be given to an NPC in Las Vegas (Hidden Ember) to create light shows.

• Post-Apocalypse (Vibrant 'Superbloom' aesthetic)
• Survival & Scarcity
• Rebuilding Civilization
• Faction Warfare (Survivors vs. Highwaymen)
• Hope vs. Desperation
• Environmental Transformation & Reclamation by Nature
• Found Family
• The Legacy of Past Sins (Fallout from FC5 events)

• Post-Apocalypse
• Nature Reclaiming Earth
• Tribal Societies
• Ancient Technology & AI
• Environmental Catastrophe (The Blight)
• Discovery & Exploration
• Hope & Sacrifice
• The Burden of Knowledge
• Legacy
• Inter-Tribal Conflict & Cooperation

• Makeshift Firearms: Various (Pistols, Rifles, SMGs, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, LMGs, Bows)
  A wide array of firearms with a distinct scavenged, jury-rigged aesthetic. Weapons are tiered from Rank I (grey), Rank II (blue), Rank III (purple), to Elite Rank (gold). Higher tiers feature significantly better damage, more mod slots, and often unique visual elements like colorful paint or added scrap metal. Ammo types are generally standard, with bows offering special arrows (piercing, explosive).
• Saw Launchers: Special/Heavy
  Signature weapons of New Dawn. They fire sawblades that can ricochet off surfaces. Multiple variants exist, including ones that fire multiple blades or have enhanced damage, becoming increasingly devastating at higher ranks.
• Melee Weapons: Melee (Blunt, Edged, Improvised)
  Crafted melee weapons like spiked baseball bats, reinforced pipes, makeshift spears, and sharpened blades. Also tiered, with higher ranks offering more damage and durability. Some can be thrown.
• Explosives & Throwables: Gadget/Consumable
  Craftable grenades, dynamite, Molotov cocktails, C4, and proximity mines. Their appearance reflects the makeshift nature of the post-apocalypse. Upgrading the Explosives Lab in Prosperity unlocks more powerful versions.
• Energy Weapons: Special (Elite Rank)
  Late-game weapons like the Blaster Rifle, which fire energy projectiles and are particularly effective against high-rank, armored Highwaymen.

• Hunter Bows: Ranged (Versatile, Elemental Arrows)
  Balanced bows for mid-range combat, capable of firing standard, fire, frost, acid, shock, and advanced hunter arrows. Good for precision and applying elemental effects.
• Sharpshot Bows: Ranged (High Precision, Tear Damage)
  Long-range bows with high damage per shot, excellent for targeting specific machine components to tear them off or hit weak spots. Can use precision arrows and tearblast arrows.
• Warrior Bows: Ranged (Short Range, Rapid Fire)
  Fast-firing bows for close-quarters combat, often with elemental effects. Lower precision but higher rate of fire.
• Blastsling: Ranged (Explosive/Elemental Bombs)
  Launches bombs that explode on impact or with a delay, dealing area damage or applying status effects (explosive, adhesive, frost, acid, shock). Requires aiming trajectory.
• Tripcaster: Trap (Tripwires)
  Deploys tripwires between two points that trigger when enemies pass through, dealing damage or applying elemental effects (shock, explosive, plasma, stun).
• Ropecaster: Utility (Tethering)
  Fires ropes that can tie down machines, temporarily immobilizing them or making them vulnerable to critical strikes. Can also be used to pull down environmental objects.
• Spike Thrower: Ranged (Heavy Projectile, High Damage/Explosive)
  Launches heavy spikes that deal massive impact damage or explode. Excellent against large, armored machines. Can have drill or explosive variants.
• Shredder Gauntlet: Ranged (Ricocheting Disc)
  Launches a serrated disc that shreds components off machines and returns to Aloy. Catching the returning disc charges it for increased damage on the next throw. Can have elemental variants.
• BoltBlaster: Ranged (Rapid Fire Bolts, Elemental)
  A heavy weapon that fires a volley of bolts in rapid succession, similar to a crossbow or minigun. Can be equipped with various elemental bolt types.
• Spear (Melee & Override): Melee / Utility
  Aloy's primary melee weapon for light and heavy attacks, combos, and critical strikes on downed enemies. Also used to silently override machines.
• Traps (Blast, Shock, Stun, etc.): Deployable Utility
  Craftable traps that can be placed on the ground to damage or incapacitate machines and human enemies.
• Valor Surges: Special Abilities (Temporary Buffs/Attacks)
  Powerful, temporary abilities unlocked in the skill tree that consume Valor. Effects range from increased damage, stealth cloaking, powerful AoE attacks, to defensive shields.

• Gear Sets & Pieces: Players craft and equip individual gear pieces for Head, Torso, Legs, Hands, and Feet. Each piece provides specific perks (e.g., reduced damage from melee, faster movement while crouched, increased ammo capacity for a weapon type). Gear is tiered (Rank I to Elite). Equipping multiple pieces from the same 'Set' (e.g., Highwaymen Set, Scout Set, Heavy Set) grants additional powerful set bonuses, encouraging players to tailor their gear to their preferred playstyle (stealth, run-and-gun, tank).
• Cosmetic Outfits: Purely cosmetic full-body outfits that change the player character's appearance. These do not provide any stat bonuses or perks and are separate from the functional gear system. Many are unlocked through gameplay, challenges, or were part of special editions/packs.

• Outfits (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Utaru, Tenakth, Quen - various tiers): Aloy can equip various outfits, each consisting of a single piece that covers head and body (though headpieces can often be toggled off visually). Outfits provide base defensive stats (Melee, Ranged, Elemental Resistances) and come with inherent perks or skills (e.g., +Stealth, +Concentration, +Heavy Weapon Damage). Outfits are color-coded by rarity (Uncommon to Legendary) and can be upgraded at workbenches to improve stats and unlock/upgrade weave slots for further customization with Coils (mods).
• Weaves (Coils): Mods that can be inserted into the weave slots of outfits and weapons. They provide specific stat boosts (e.g., +% Fire Damage, +Melee Defense, +Critical Hit Chance) or unique perks. Weaves also have rarity tiers.
• Face Paints: Cosmetic items that Aloy can apply, representing different tribal affiliations or styles. Unlocked through quests or progression. Do not provide stat bonuses.
• Dyes: Players can collect special plants to unlock dyes, which can be used at Dyer merchants to change the color scheme of most outfits, allowing for visual customization.

• Makeshift Gear Pieces: Players equip individual pieces of gear for head, torso, legs, hands, and feet. These items have a distinct post-apocalyptic, scavenged aesthetic, often incorporating scrap metal, leather, and repurposed materials. The visual design of gear often reflects its set type (e.g., Highwaymen gear looks aggressive and cobbled together, Scout gear looks lighter and more agile).
• Cosmetic Outfits & Weapon Skins: A variety of full-body cosmetic outfits (e.g., 'Space Force' outfit, 'Retro Sci-Fi' outfit) and weapon skins allow players to change their visual appearance and weapon aesthetics without affecting gameplay stats. Many are unlocked through in-game progression, completing challenges, finding them in the world, or via special editions and microtransactions.

• Tribal Outfits (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk, Utaru, Tenakth, Quen): Aloy can acquire and wear numerous outfits inspired by the game's various tribes. Each outfit provides defensive stats and unique perks suited to different playstyles (e.g., stealth, ranged combat, melee, machine overriding, elemental resistance). Outfits are color-coded by rarity and can be upgraded. A transmog system allows players to apply the appearance of any owned outfit while retaining the stats of another.
• Special Outfits (Pre-order, Deluxe, Legendary): Unique outfits obtained through pre-orders, special game editions, or by crafting/purchasing legendary tier gear. These often have powerful perks and distinct visual designs.
• Face Paints: Cosmetic face paints representing different tribes or personal markings can be applied to Aloy. Unlocked through quests, merchants, or exploration.
• Outfit Dyes: Players can collect specific dye plants from the environment and use them at Dyer merchants to change the color schemes of most outfits, offering a layer of visual personalization.
• Headpiece Toggle: Most outfits come with a headpiece, but players have the option to visually toggle it off while still retaining its stats and perks, allowing them to see Aloy's face.

Progression is heavily tied to upgrading the Prosperity home base. Facilities like the Weapons Workbench, Garage, Training Camp, Infirmary, Explosives Lab, Healing Garden, and Cartography office can be upgraded using Ethanol, unlocking higher-tier weapon/vehicle crafting, increased health, stronger companions, faster fast travel, and revealed map locations. Players earn Perk Points from challenges, Treasure Hunts, and leveling up to unlock abilities in categories like Brawler, Covert, Survivor, and specific companion-enhancing perks. Crafting materials are diverse (Components, Duct Tape, Gears, Springs, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, Circuit Boards) and tiered, corresponding to weapon/vehicle ranks.

Hope County's map is a condensed and significantly altered version of Far Cry 5's, reflecting 17 years of post-nuclear transformation. Familiar landmarks are often overgrown or repurposed. Key areas include Prosperity (home base), Highwaymen outposts, and New Eden's territory. A major addition is 'Expeditions,' which take players to self-contained, off-map locations across the USA, such as a crashed I.S.S. space station in Louisiana, Alcatraz Island, a Navajo Bridge in Arizona, a Florida amusement park, and a government plane wreck. These offer unique environments and high-value resources.

The Forbidden West is a vast and diverse open world, significantly larger than the map of Zero Dawn. Key regions include: The Daunt (a Carja borderland), No Man's Land (arid plains), Plainsong (Utaru farmlands), The Shining Wastes (deserts), Scalding Spear (Tenakth Sky Clan capital), The Stand of the Sentinels (Tenakth Lowland Clan territory), The Long Coast (beaches and ruins, leading to San Francisco), Isle of Spires (ruined San Francisco, Quen landing site), and underwater environments. The map is rich in verticality, dense jungles, arid deserts, snowy mountains, and submerged ruins. The 'Burning Shores' DLC adds a new volcanic archipelago region (former Los Angeles).

• Makeshift Cars, Trucks, ATVs, Motorcycles: Land Vehicle
  A wide variety of ground vehicles, all sporting a distinct post-apocalyptic, scavenged, and often armored or weaponized appearance. Vehicles are tiered (Rank I to Elite) and can be crafted at the Garage in Prosperity. Higher-tier vehicles offer better durability, speed, and mounted weaponry (e.g., machine guns, saw launchers). Examples include rusty sedans with plows, dune buggies with mounted MGs, and armored trikes.
• Boats: Water Vehicle
  Basic watercraft like fan boats and small patrol boats, reflecting the makeshift theme. Useful for traversing Hope County's extensive river network. Some may have light mounted weapons at higher craftable tiers.
• Helicopters: Air Vehicle
  Craftable and upgradable helicopters, crucial for rapid traversal of the map and providing air support. They also feature a scavenged look and can be equipped with weapons like machine guns or rockets at higher tiers. Essential for quickly reaching Expedition start points or out-of-the-way locations.
• Unique & Special Vehicles: Land/Air Vehicle
  Includes special pre-order or Deluxe Edition vehicles (like the Unicorn Trike), and potentially some unique vehicles found or awarded through specific missions or Treasure Hunts. These often have distinct visual flair or slightly enhanced stats.

• Mountable Machines (Charger, Bristleback, Clawstrider, Sunwing): Overridden Machine Mounts (Land & Air)
  Aloy can override various machines to use as mounts. Chargers are fast ground mounts. Bristlebacks are slower but can dig for resources. Clawstriders are combat-capable ground mounts. Sunwings are flying mounts essential for aerial traversal and accessing high areas.
• Shieldwing: Personal Glider
  An energy glider deployed by Aloy to safely descend from great heights, glide across gaps, and perform aerial maneuvers. An essential traversal tool.
• Pullcaster: Grappling Tool / Utility
  A versatile tool that functions as a grappling hook to pull Aloy towards specific anchor points, pull down destructible walls or objects, and retrieve out-of-reach loot. Also used in combat to pull enemies or expose weak points.
• Boats / Rafts (Contextual): Simple Watercraft
  In some underwater or flooded areas, Aloy might find or use simple rafts or interact with small boats for short-distance water traversal, though these are not primary controllable vehicles like in other games.

• Timber: Akita Dog
  Fangs for Hire (Scouting, Tagging, Resource Finding, Reviving, Defensive)
• Horatio: Boar
  Fangs for Hire (Tank, Aggressive Combat, Shield Breaking, Self-Revive, Distraction)
• Monstrous Wildlife: Mutated Bison, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Boar, Snapping Turtle
  Hostile Elite Fauna. These are larger, tougher, and more aggressive versions of normal wildlife, often with unique visual mutations. They guard specific locations or roam certain areas and drop rare crafting materials (e.g., Monstrous Hides, Monstrous Bones) needed for high-tier upgrades.
• Standard Wildlife: Deer, Skunk, Rabbit, Fish, Birds etc.
  Neutral Wildlife. Can be hunted for basic crafting materials (skins, meat for bait) and to complete hunting challenges. Some, like skunks or eagles, can be minor threats.

• The Captain of Security (Cap): Protagonist
  A customizable (male or female) silent protagonist. Arrives in Hope County with Thomas Rush's group, dedicated to helping settlements rebuild across the post-apocalyptic USA. Quickly becomes a key leader and fighter for Prosperity, known for their resourcefulness and combat prowess.
• Mickey (Michelle): Main Antagonist (Co-leader of Highwaymen)
  The more calculating and seemingly level-headed of the twin sisters leading the Highwaymen. She dictates their strategy and philosophy of taking what they want by force, believing it's the only way to survive and thrive in the new world. Despite her pragmatism, she is utterly ruthless.
• Lou (Louise): Main Antagonist (Co-leader of Highwaymen)
  The more volatile, aggressive, and sadistic of the Highwaymen twins. She revels in violence and destruction, often acting as the enforcer of their will. Her impulsiveness can sometimes clash with Mickey's plans, but her ferocity is undeniable.
• Carmina Rye: Supporting Character / Gun for Hire
  Daughter of Nick and Kim Rye, born at the very end of Far Cry 5. Now a determined young woman, she is one of the first residents of Prosperity the player meets and fights alongside. She embodies the hope for a better future and is deeply committed to her community. As a Gun for Hire, she uses dynamite effectively.
• Kim Rye (Kimiko Rye): Supporting Character (Leader of Prosperity)
  A key leader in Prosperity, Carmina's mother, and a returning character from Far Cry 5. She is resourceful and pragmatic, focused on the survival and growth of Prosperity. She tasks the player with many crucial upgrades for the home base.
• Thomas Rush: Supporting Character
  The charismatic leader of a well-equipped group traveling America to help communities rebuild. He brings the player (his Captain of Security) to Hope County. His ideals and methods sometimes clash with the harsh realities of the wasteland.
• The Judge: Companion (Gun for Hire)
  A silent, masked warrior from New Eden. Heavily implied to be the player's Junior Deputy character from Far Cry 5, having survived the nuclear blast and undergone a transformation under Joseph Seed. They are a master of stealth and the bow, and their presence is a constant reminder of the past.
• Joseph Seed: Supporting Character / Former Antagonist
  The former leader of Project at Eden's Gate from Far Cry 5. He survived the Collapse and now leads the secluded community of New Eden, preaching a different, more nature-focused philosophy. His role is complex, offering cryptic guidance and posing moral questions.
• Nana: Companion (Gun for Hire)
  An elderly woman who is a surprisingly skilled sniper. She's sharp-witted and deadly from a distance, providing excellent stealth and ranged support once recruited.
• Pastor Jerome Jeffries: Companion (Gun for Hire)
  Returning from Far Cry 5, the resilient pastor now acts as a powerful close-to-mid-range fighter, wielding a shotgun and Molotov cocktails, still fiercely protective of his flock.

• Aloy: Protagonist / Nora Machine Hunter / Seeker
  The main playable character. A skilled hunter, archer, and machine overrider. Haunted by her origins as a clone of Dr. Elisabet Sobeck, she ventures into the Forbidden West to find a cure for the Blight and save life on Earth. Known for her intelligence, compassion, and determination.
• Varl: Ally / Nora Brave / Aloy's Companion
  A loyal friend and companion to Aloy from the Nora tribe. He follows her into the Forbidden West, providing support and a connection to her past. He undergoes his own journey of growth and finding his place.
• Erend: Ally / Oseram Vanguard Captain
  A boisterous and strong Oseram warrior, captain of the Carja Vanguard. He reunites with Aloy in the Forbidden West and assists her, often providing comic relief and brute force.
• Zo: Ally / Utaru Gravesinger
  A calm and spiritual member of the agrarian Utaru tribe. She is a 'Gravesinger,' tending to the tribe's land-gods (machines that sustain their crops). She joins Aloy to help heal the land and her people.
• Kotallo: Ally / Tenakth Sky Clan Marshal
  A stoic and honorable Tenakth warrior from the Sky Clan who lost an arm in battle. Initially distrustful, he becomes a steadfast ally to Aloy, grappling with his injury and his duty to his people.
• Alva: Ally / Quen Diviner
  A curious and intelligent Diviner from the overseas Quen tribe. She possesses knowledge of Old World technology through her tribe's limited Focus-like devices. She aids Aloy in understanding ancient data.
• Sylens: Ambiguous Figure / Researcher & Schemer
  The enigmatic and highly intelligent researcher obsessed with Old World knowledge and technology. His motives are often unclear, and he manipulates events for his own purposes, sometimes aligning with Aloy, sometimes opposing her.
• Beta: Supporting Character / Elisabet Sobeck Clone
  Another clone of Dr. Elisabet Sobeck, created and raised in isolation by Far Zenith. She is highly intelligent but socially anxious and initially fearful. Her relationship with Aloy is central to the plot.
• Regalla: Antagonist / Tenakth Rebel Leader
  A fierce Tenakth warrior leading a rebellion against Chief Hekarro. She is fueled by a desire for revenge against the Carja and allies herself with Sylens to acquire machine overriding technology.
• Tilda van der Meer: Antagonist / Far Zenith Member
  A prominent member of Far Zenith, an organization of immortal Old World humans who fled Earth. She has a complex past connection with Elisabet Sobeck and plays a key role in Far Zenith's plans.
• Gerard Bieri: Antagonist / Far Zenith Leader
  The apparent leader of the Far Zenith expedition to Earth. Arrogant and dismissive of current human life on Earth.
• Hekarro: Supporting Character / Tenakth Chief
  The wise and respected chief of the Tenakth tribe, seeking to unite its three clans and resist Regalla's rebellion.
• GAIA: AI / Earth's Terraforming System
  The benevolent AI created by Elisabet Sobeck to restore life to Earth. Aloy seeks to recover GAIA's subordinate functions to repair the biosphere and stop the Blight.
• Walter Londra (Burning Shores DLC): Antagonist (DLC) / Far Zenith Member
  A Far Zenith member who established a cult-like following in the Burning Shores region, posing a new threat that Aloy and Seyka must confront.
• Seyka (Burning Shores DLC): Ally / Quen Marine (DLC)
  A resourceful and determined Quen marine encountered in the Burning Shores DLC. She teams up with Aloy to find her missing sister and confront Londra. A potential romantic interest for Aloy.

• Main Story Campaign (Prosperity vs. Highwaymen)
  A series of missions that guide the player through upgrading Prosperity, recruiting key specialists (like a doctor, explosives expert, etc.), weakening the Highwaymen's grip on Hope County, and ultimately confronting their leaders, Mickey and Lou. It also involves interacting with Joseph Seed and the community of New Eden.
• Outpost Liberation & Scavenging
  Clear out Highwaymen-controlled Outposts to gain Ethanol (the primary resource for upgrading Prosperity facilities) and establish fast travel points. Once liberated, Outposts can be 'scavenged,' which returns them to Highwaymen control at a higher difficulty level (more alarms, tougher enemies) but offers significantly more Ethanol upon re-liberation. This forms a core repeatable gameplay loop for resource gathering.
• Expeditions (Rank I to III)
  Travel to unique, self-contained maps outside Hope County to retrieve a package containing rare crafting materials (like Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Circuit Boards). Each Expedition has 3 difficulty tiers, with higher tiers offering better rewards but featuring more numerous and tougher enemies, and sometimes modified objectives or extraction points.
• Specialist Recruitment & Loyalty Missions
  Side missions focused on finding and recruiting key specialists who provide unique upgrades to Prosperity's facilities (e.g., Bean for intel, Selene for healing garden). Some companions also have short loyalty missions that delve into their backstory or upgrade their abilities.
• Treasure Hunts
  Self-contained environmental puzzles marked on the map. Players must decipher clues, navigate obstacles, or find keys to access hidden stashes. These reward Perk Points, valuable crafting materials, Far Cry Credits, and sometimes unique weapon skins or lore notes.
• Story of Eden (New Eden Missions)
  A series of missions involving Joseph Seed and his community, New Eden. These often involve more mystical or introspective tasks, exploring Joseph's changed philosophy and the strange powers manifesting in the post-Collapse world.

• Main Quests (Aloy's Journey to the West)
  A series of narrative-driven quests following Aloy's quest to find a working backup of GAIA, stop the Red Blight, investigate the origins of new, dangerous machines, and confront the threat of Far Zenith and Regalla's rebels. These missions span the entire Forbidden West and involve major story revelations, character interactions, and boss battles.
• Side Quests (Favors & Errands)
  Numerous optional quests given by various NPCs across all tribes and settlements. These offer unique storylines, explore the cultures and conflicts of the Forbidden West, introduce memorable characters, and reward XP, skill points, gear, or valuable resources.
• Cauldrons
  Large, underground machine factories. Aloy must infiltrate these dangerous, puzzle-filled facilities, fight through machine defenses, and override the cauldron's core to unlock new machine override codes, allowing her to convert more machine types to her side.
• Tallnecks
  Colossal, giraffe-like machines that act as mobile radar towers. Aloy must find a way to climb to the top of each Tallneck and override its sensor array to unfog a large portion of the world map, revealing points of interest, settlements, and machine sites.
• Rebel Camps & Outposts
  Fortified camps and smaller outposts controlled by Regalla's rebels. Aloy must defeat the rebel leader in each camp (often involving a mini-boss fight) and clear out all enemies to liberate the area, earning rewards and sometimes unlocking new allies or quests.
• Hunting Grounds
  Specific arenas where Aloy can undertake timed trials focused on different hunting techniques and weapon usage against various machines. Earning higher marks (Quarter, Half, Full Stripes) rewards medals, XP, and unique resources.
• Melee Pits
  Arenas where Aloy can challenge Tenakth warriors in melee combat duels, testing her spear skills and unlocking new melee combos upon victory.
• Salvage Contracts
  Quests given by Oseram salvagers, tasking Aloy with hunting specific machines for rare parts or retrieving valuable scrap from dangerous locations. Rewards often include powerful Oseram weapons or outfits.
• Gauntlet Runs (Machine Races)
  Mounted races against other machine riders, involving navigating a treacherous course while using weapons and abilities to sabotage opponents.
• Burning Shores DLC Main Quests
  A new main storyline set in the volcanic Burning Shores region, where Aloy teams up with Quen marine Seyka to investigate a new Far Zenith threat led by Walter Londra.

The primary multiplayer offering is two-player online co-op for the main campaign and Expeditions. Players can tackle missions, explore the world, and fight the Highwaymen together. Co-op enhances tactical options and allows for reviving downed partners. There is no competitive multiplayer mode or a map editor like Far Cry Arcade from Far Cry 5.

Available in Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition included the Knight Pack (SVD Claymore variant and sidecar motorcycle skin), the Hurk Legacy Pack (Hurkling outfit, Hurk's Wrath M249 variant, and Hurk Legacy off-road vehicle skin), and the Retro Sci-Fi M133M shotgun skin and RAT4 rocket launcher skin. Pre-order bonuses often included a unique Unicorn Trike skin.

Available in Standard Edition, Special Edition (SteelBook, digital soundtrack, artbook), Digital Deluxe Edition (cosmetic outfits/weapons, digital artbook/soundtrack/comic), Collector's Edition (Tremortusk & Aloy statues, SteelBook, artbook, all Digital Deluxe content), and Regalla Edition (Regalla Tremortusk statue, canvas map, art prints, replica Focus, all Collector's content). The PC version is often the 'Complete Edition' including the Burning Shores DLC.

Post-launch support for Far Cry New Dawn was minimal compared to mainline titles. It primarily consisted of cosmetic item packs available for purchase (e.g., weapon skins, outfits) and some free Ubisoft Club rewards. No major narrative DLC expansions were released, as the game itself is a spin-off sequel.

One major story expansion, 'Burning Shores,' has been released (exclusive to PS5 and PC). It takes Aloy to a new volcanic archipelago region (former Los Angeles) to pursue a new threat. Numerous free updates have added features like New Game+, Ultra Hard difficulty, transmog, and quality-of-life improvements.

• Q: Is Far Cry New Dawn a full game or DLC for Far Cry 5?
  A: Far Cry New Dawn is a standalone, full-priced game. While it's a direct sequel to Far Cry 5 and reuses a modified version of its map, it does not require Far Cry 5 to play and has its own complete story and progression systems.
• Q: Do I need to play Far Cry 5 before New Dawn to understand the story?
  A: It is highly recommended. New Dawn's narrative, characters (like Joseph Seed, the Ryes, Pastor Jerome), and the overall state of the world are direct consequences of Far Cry 5's ending. Playing FC5 first provides crucial context and emotional weight to New Dawn's events.
• Q: Is there multiplayer in Far Cry New Dawn, and what can you do?
  A: Yes, Far Cry New Dawn supports two-player online cooperative multiplayer. Players can tackle the entire main campaign, liberate Outposts, and undertake Expeditions together. This allows for tactical coordination and mutual support.
• Q: What are Expeditions, and why are they important?
  A: Expeditions are repeatable missions that take players to unique, self-contained locations outside of Hope County (e.g., Alcatraz, a crashed space station). Their primary purpose is to acquire rare, high-tier crafting materials essential for upgrading Elite Rank weapons and vehicles. They offer diverse environments and can be replayed at higher difficulty levels for increased rewards.
• Q: How does the weapon and enemy tier system (RPG-lite mechanics) work?
  A: Both weapons and enemies are tiered (Rank I, II, III, Elite). Higher-ranked enemies are significantly tougher and deal more damage, often requiring weapons of a similar or higher rank to defeat effectively. This encourages players to constantly scavenge, craft, and upgrade their arsenal and home base (Prosperity) to keep pace with escalating threats.
• Q: Can you still fish and hunt like in Far Cry 5?
  A: Yes, fishing and hunting are still present, though slightly de-emphasized compared to FC5. Hunting provides skins and bait, with Monstrous Wildlife offering rare pelts for high-end crafting. Fishing spots are available for catching different types of fish, which can be sold or used in trade.

• Q: Is Horizon Forbidden West a direct sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: Yes, Horizon Forbidden West directly continues the story of Aloy, picking up approximately six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn.
• Q: Do I need to play Horizon Zero Dawn before Forbidden West?
  A: It is highly recommended. Forbidden West heavily builds upon the lore, characters, and plot threads established in Zero Dawn. While there's a brief recap, playing the first game provides essential context and enhances the emotional impact of the sequel.
• Q: Can Aloy swim underwater in Horizon Forbidden West?
  A: Yes, underwater exploration is a major new feature. Aloy can dive and swim in various bodies of water, discovering submerged ruins, resources, and new machines. She uses a rebreather for extended underwater exploration.
• Q: What is the Shieldwing?
  A: The Shieldwing is a new piece of gear that functions as an energy glider. Aloy can deploy it mid-air after jumping from heights to safely glide across large distances or descend slowly, opening up new traversal possibilities.
• Q: Are there flying mounts in Horizon Forbidden West?
  A: Yes, later in the game, Aloy gains the ability to override and ride Sunwings, which are Pterodactyl-like flying machines, allowing for aerial traversal across the Forbidden West.
• Q: What is Machine Strike?
  A: Machine Strike is an in-universe turn-based tactical board game that Aloy can play against various NPCs. Players collect machine-themed game pieces, each with unique stats and abilities, and battle on a holographic board.

Built on the Dunia Engine, New Dawn showcases a striking 'superbloom' post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Hope County is transformed with vibrant, almost alien-looking flora, vivid colors, and unique atmospheric effects like auroras. This contrasts sharply with Far Cry 5's pre-collapse realism. Environmental storytelling is strong, with remnants of the old world overgrown or repurposed by survivors and the Highwaymen. Character models and weapon designs reflect the scavenged, makeshift theme.

Powered by an updated version of the Decima Engine, the game is renowned for its stunning visual fidelity. It showcases incredibly detailed machine designs, lifelike character animations, lush and diverse environments (from dense jungles to arid deserts and underwater biomes), advanced lighting, volumetric clouds, and realistic weather systems. The level of detail in flora, fauna, and tribal settlements is exceptional. Offers multiple graphics modes on PS5.

The original score by Tyler Bates and John Swihart captures the dual nature of the world – hopeful rebuilding mixed with brutal survival. Licensed tracks, often with a retro or folk vibe, feature on in-game radios. The Highwaymen have their own distinct, aggressive musical themes and radio broadcasts, contributing to their menacing presence. Sound design emphasizes the makeshift nature of weapons (clanky, jury-rigged) and the vibrant but dangerous wildlife.

Original score composed by Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest, and Oleksa Lozowchuk, featuring epic orchestral themes, tribal chants, and ethereal melodies that capture the beauty and danger of the Forbidden West. Sound design is intricate, with unique vocalizations for each machine, realistic environmental sounds, and impactful weapon effects.

The UI retains Far Cry's first-person HUD elements (compass, ammo, health) but with a distinct 'DIY' post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Health is represented by segmented bars that regenerate up to the last full segment. Enemy health bars and rank indicators are more prominent due to the RPG-lite tiered system. Crafting and upgrade menus are frequently accessed and crucial for progression.

Features an immersive HUD with health, Focus meter, weapon/ammo selection, and contextual prompts. The Focus (AR device) highlights machine weak points, tracks, and hackable objects. Menus for inventory, crafting, skills, map, and collectibles are detailed. The world map is extensive with various filters. Dynamic HUD options allow for customization.

Far Cry New Dawn inherits many accessibility features from Far Cry 5, including customizable controls (key remapping, sensitivity), aim assist options, adjustable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, Hard), and extensive subtitle customization (size, background opacity, speaker names). Colorblind modes are also available.

Offers a comprehensive suite of accessibility options, including fully remappable controls, extensive subtitle and caption customization, difficulty settings (including Custom mode), aim assist options, options to simplify QTEs, options for motion blur/camera shake, co-pilot mode, dead zone adjustments, auto-sprint, auto-heal, auto-concentration, and various visual/audio cues for gameplay elements.

• Official system requirements from Ubisoft (as of game launch). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, and background applications. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance. The game shares a similar performance profile to Far Cry 5, though the vibrant 'superbloom' aesthetic can sometimes be demanding in dense areas.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable. Performance on laptops is also heavily influenced by cooling and the GPU's Total Graphics Power (TGP). The estimated laptop specs below are approximate and reflect performance tiers for the game's original release period. **Modern laptop GPUs (NVIDIA RTX 30-series, RTX 40-series, and newer AMD equivalents) will significantly exceed these original recommendations and offer excellent performance across all resolutions, similar to Far Cry 5.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Water Quality, Volumetric Fog, and Anti-Aliasing heavily impact performance. The game is graphically similar to Far Cry 5, but the post-apocalyptic environment features dense foliage and unique particle effects that can be demanding.
• Game Name: Far Cry New Dawn

• Official PC system requirements from Guerrilla Games/Nixxes. Performance can vary significantly depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially dense jungles or machine-heavy encounters), and background applications. An SSD is MANDATORY. The game is visually stunning and very demanding at higher settings.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and excellent cooling. **Horizon Forbidden West is a demanding title on PC; high-end laptop hardware is necessary for higher resolutions and settings to maintain smooth framerates. Upscaling is highly recommended.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling, especially with detailed environments.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better due to complex world simulation and machine AI.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5 preferred for newer systems) is highly beneficial.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS 3 (Super Resolution & Frame Generation), AMD FSR 2.2, and Intel XeSS. DirectStorage API support for faster loading on compatible NVMe SSDs.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Model Quality, Shadow Quality, Reflections Quality, Volumetric Clouds, Level of Detail, Hair Quality, and Anisotropic Filtering heavily impact performance. Using upscaling is highly recommended for higher resolutions/settings.
• Game Name: Horizon Forbidden West

• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Water Quality, Volumetric Fog, and Anti-Aliasing heavily impact performance. The game is graphically similar to Far Cry 5, but the post-apocalyptic environment features dense foliage and unique particle effects that can be demanding.

• Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS 3 (Super Resolution & Frame Generation), AMD FSR 2.2, and Intel XeSS. DirectStorage API support for faster loading on compatible NVMe SSDs.
• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Model Quality, Shadow Quality, Reflections Quality, Volumetric Clouds, Level of Detail, Hair Quality, and Anisotropic Filtering heavily impact performance. Using upscaling is highly recommended for higher resolutions/settings.

• G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
• Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
• C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
• Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling, especially with detailed environments.
• C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better due to complex world simulation and machine AI.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5 preferred for newer systems) is highly beneficial.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.